N.E. “Gene” Whitehurst, age 92, of Peoria, joined his wife Betty and daughter Sue among many other loved ones in heaven Wednesday, Dec. 16, 2020 at 3:21 p.m. at the Richard L. Owens Hospice Home in Peoria.
Gene was born April 4, 1928 in Bettendorf, IA to John and Loretta (Nelson) Whitehurst. He married Betty Louise Neuman on Feb. 27, 1948 in Peoria. She passed away Oct. 3, 2016 in Peoria. He was also preceded in death by his parents, one daughter, Susan Hope Whitehurst, one daughter-in-law, Edna Whitehurst, two sisters: Elaine and Lillian, and three brothers: John, Harry and Bill.
Survivors include two sons: Nelson (Julie) Whitehurst of Edwards, David Whitehurst (Marcia Ashley) of Dunlap, two daughters: Sandra (Bruce) Edstrand of Hawthorn Woods, IL, Shellie (Bob) Wilkes of Peoria, eight grandchildren and 21 great-grandchildren.
For those who knew Gene, it was immediately evident his two greatest passions in life were his family and his lifelong career. In 1954, Gene, along with his partner and friend, Karol Ponicsan, founded one of Peoria’s largest residential construction companies in the tri county area, P&W Builders. Gene and Karol developed over 20 subdivisions and built over 3500 homes. He was proud of the fact he could drive through nearly any community within 60 miles and recognize homes he had designed and built. The development he was most proud of was the one he put his name to; Lake Whitehurst Cliffs. He went one step further by naming the beautiful beach after his wife, Betty and named all of the streets after his many grandchildren.
Gene will always be remembered for a statement he made to EVERYONE he met, and it went like this: “Are you going to let me build you a new home?” And more than once, he ended up selling them a new HOME! He even tried this sales tactic near the end of his life on the paramedics who came to his home and then again, at the hospital.
Gene’ favorite activities were traveling, including his favorite trip on The Around the World in 80 Days on the Maiden Voyage of the Queen Mary 2 and Men’s Bradley Basketball, being an avid fan and season ticket holder since 1964.
Gene’s family meant the world to him and he meant the world to them, forever.
Visitation will be Sunday, Dec. 20, 2020 from 2 to 4 p.m. at the Davison-Fulton Woodland Chapel in Peoria. Funeral services will be Monday, Dec. 21, 2020 at 11 a.m. at the funeral home. Social distancing will be enforced.
Burial will be in Parkview Cemetery in Peoria.
Memorials may be made to the Richard L. Owens Hospice Home, JDRF, American Cancer Society, or St. Jude Midwest Affiliate.
You may view Gene’s obituary online at www.davison-fulton.com
